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Studio Wildcard’s Bold Move: Paying Modders $4,000 Monthly

In 2015, the gaming community made it clear: Paying for mods (like those for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) was a contentious issue. Fast forward to today, and Ark: Survival Evolved developer Studio Wildcard is taking a different approach—funding mod creators directly through its Ark Sponsored Mod Program.

The Sponsored Mod Program Explained

  • Monthly Stipend: Selected modders receive $4,000/month to continue developing high-quality content.
  • Selection Process: Studio Wildcard handpicks 15 mods monthly, with flexibility to adjust based on performance.
  • Goal: Sustain consistent, free mods for players while rewarding creators.

In an exclusive interview on GamesBeat Decides, Studio Wildcard’s co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz and community manager Cedric Burkes shared insights into the program’s origins and objectives.

“Mods have been a tremendous benefit to Ark. Over two-thirds of PC players use modded servers, and nearly 100% of player-hosted servers run mods.” — Jeremy Stieglitz

Ark Mods in Action: Moon Survival Image Credit: Studio Wildcard
Mods like “Ark on the Moon” showcase the creativity of the community.

Why Not Paid Mods? Lessons from Skyrim’s Backlash

Studio Wildcard initially considered letting modders charge players—a model Valve and Bethesda attempted (and abandoned) for Skyrim. However, Ark’s multiplayer-centric design posed unique challenges:

  1. Server vs. Player Purchases:

    • If servers bought mods, the market would be limited (~9,000 servers).
    • If players bought mods, would they face restrictions joining modded servers?

  2. Economic Viability: The team concluded the model wasn’t feasible for Ark—though Stieglitz still believes paid mods could work for other games.

Bridging the Gap Between Modders and Pros

Stieglitz highlighted a growing trend: The line between amateur modders and professional developers is blurring.

“The only difference often is that one is paid for their work. This program helps close that gap.”

With the Sponsored Mod Program, Studio Wildcard aims to:

  • Support talented creators without burdening players.
  • Foster innovation that benefits the entire Ark ecosystem.

Final Thoughts: By investing directly in modders, Studio Wildcard is pioneering a sustainable model for community-driven content—one that avoids the pitfalls of paid mods while elevating the Ark experience for everyone.

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